EU Probes Apple Over 'Unacceptable' Warranty Ads

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has reportedly penned a letter to member state ministers that asks them to verify that Apple is notifying customers that they are entitled to two-year product warranties.

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has reportedly penned a letter to member state ministers that asks them to verify that Apple is notifying customers that they are entitled to two-year product warranties.

As reported by Bloomberg, Reding wrote that Apple is "prominently" advertising its one-year warranty, but does not appear to be telling customers that EU law requires a minimum two-year warranty. As a result, customers might be buying pricier Apple Care plans rather than taking advantage of free, two-year plans.

"These are unacceptable marketing practices," Reding wrote.

Reding's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The letter comes about a year after Apple incurred a 900,000 Euro ($1.2 million) fine from the Italian Antitrust Authority for misleading consumers when it comes to warranties. Apple provided "unclear information on payments for additional assistance offered to consumers" and had not "fully implemented the two-year guarantee by the producer," Italian officials said at the time.

According to Apple's Hardware Warranties website, Cupertino provides a one-year warranty on its products in the U.S. Despite the rules in the EU, however, the website also lists its warranties as valid for one year across Europe. A MacBook Air purchased in Italy, for example, includes a one-year warranty, the site says. A new iPad bought in France? Also one year.

A separate website elaborates on warranty option in the EU. "When you purchase Apple products, European Union consumer law provides statutory warranty rights in addition to the coverage you receive from the Apple One-Year Limited Warranty and the optional AppleCare Protection Plan," the website says.

More details are below; click for a larger image.

According to the EU, meanwhile, warranties apply across all member states. As of Sept. 2010, Apple introduced cross-border warranty repair services across all EU and European Economic Area countries.

About the Author

Before joining PCMag.com, Chloe covered financial IT for Incisive Media in NYC and technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's deg... See Full Bio

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